19 November 2009

Airline travelers: latest surcharges for holidays

The three largest US air carriers are expanding the use of surcharges to raise prices on the busiest travel days next year.

Delta Air Lines Inc., American Airlines and United Airlines are putting fees of as much as $30 each way to flights on as many as 41 days from now to May 28, according to Tom Parsons, chief executive officer of Bestfares.com.

These include a $50 one-way charge on some flights on Feb. 8, the day after the Super Bowl.

"The writing is on the wall," said Parsons. "If you want to travel on a peak holiday or high-demand travel period, such as spring break or Easter, it’s going to cost you more in 2010."

"This is becoming kind of a grab" for passengers’ cash, said Robert W. Mann, president of consultant R.W. Mann & Co. in Port Washington, New York. "Nickel and diming in the form of $5 and $10 bills is really where it’s going."

The 2010 fees build on surcharges that will take effect on flights after the US Thanksgiving and New Year’s holidays.

Targeting seasonal flying, not just busy travel days related to events, is a new step for US carriers trying to raise revenue amid the recession, observes Bloomberg News.

Spokesmen for Delta, American and UAL Corp.’s United confirmed the surcharge changes, according to Bloomberg.

By David WIlkening